Police have arrested 26 people and recovered eight stolen cars as part of an operation targeting car thieves and burglars in Broadmeadows and Craigieburn earlier this month.
Car theft is a significant priority for local police in Hume, with the area having the third most cars stolen across the state last year - a 44% increase.
Police intelligence shows that more than a third of cars targeted in the area are unlocked or have open windows. Similarly, it is common for offenders to sneak into houses with unlocked doors or open windows to steal car keys.
The week-long operation ran overnight earlier this month, targeting those committing burglaries to steal cars across Broadmeadows and Craigieburn.
Local general duties police were supported by the Air Wing and the Dog Squad to track down offenders and outstanding stolen cars in the area.
The operation led to the following results:
• 26 people arrested, with police laying more than 80 charges all together
• Eight stolen cars recovered
• Impounded three cars for traffic offences including driving on suspended licence and excessive speed
• 27 infringement notices issued for driving offences
• 42 vehicles checked
The arrests included the below incidents:
• At about 3.45am on Monday 31 March, it's alleged multiple offenders arrived at an address in Kirkham Drive in Greenvale in a black Toyota Landcruiser. It's alleged two of the offenders stole a silver Subaru from the address, with both cars driving off together. The Landcruiser and the Subaru drove at high speed on Greenvale Drive, with the Landcruiser driving on the footpath when they were spotted by patrolling police. The Air Wing arrived to assist, observing the Subaru allegedly driving dangerously, and at times on the incorrect side of the road, on Mickleham Road, up to speeds of 170 km/h. Stop sticks were successfully deployed, causing the vehicle to come to a stop on Whitfield Street in Craigieburn and the two occupants were arrested nearby with assistance from the Dog Squad. One of the men arrested, a 33-year-old from Fawkner, was also wanted on 17 outstanding warrants. The other man, a 20-year-old from Preston, had an outstanding warrant for an alleged aggravated carjacking with a firearm. Both men were subsequently charged with a range of offences, including theft of motor vehicle and dangerous driving, and were directly presented to court that day.
• At about 11.30pm on Tuesday 1 April, officers received reports of a sighting of a firearm inside a red Toyota Corolla with multiple occupants in Meadow Heights. With the assistance of the Air Wing, police located the Corolla and attempted to intercept, when it evaded police on Kirkham Drive in Greenvale. Stop sticks were successfully deployed before all four occupants were arrested after they dumped the vehicle and ran on Highlawn Avenue in Airport West. All four were charged with numerous offences including dangerous driving as well as drug trafficking. The firearm allegedly involved in the previous incident was located on 10 April and the investigation remains ongoing.
• At about 4.30am on Tuesday 1 April, police observed a blue Subaru driving in the parkland of Broadmeadows Valley Park in Westmeadows. The Air Wing was called in to monitor from above, observing the driver allegedly hanging out of the window and driving at a slow pace around the park. Police intercepted the vehicle which came to an immediate stop and the two occupants inside the car were both arrested. The Subaru was confirmed stolen and was allegedly involved in a series of previous commercial burglaries.
• At about 1am on Saturday 5 April, officers sighted an alleged stolen Holden Commodore on Sydney Road in Campbellfield. The Air Wing was called in to monitor from above as officers attempted to intercept the vehicle. The driver allegedly evaded and continued driving south on Sydney Road, before dumping the car in a nearby street. Three occupants fled the car and attempted to run away but were quickly apprehended by police. Police allegedly found multiple sets of keys for multiple different cars, believed to be stolen, on the offenders. All three were charged with various offences, including the driver, a 36-year-old from Craigieburn who was charged with theft of motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, theft from motor vehicle and dangerous driving.
The operation ran from 30 March - 5 April in the Broadmeadows and Craigieburn areas. More operations are planned in the future.
In addition to the targeted operation, detectives from the nearby Merri-bek Crime Investigation Unit also arrested two people last week for two separate alleged aggravated burglaries where offenders crept in to properties without occupants realising. Those arrested include:
• A 23-year-old man from Oak Park was arrested in relation to an alleged aggravated burglary on 7 April in Harra Court, where two vehicles, money and bank cards were stolen. The man was charged with aggravated burglary, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, theft, obtain property by deception and handle stolen goods. He has been remanded in custody and will appear at court on 1 May.
• A 25-year-old man from Epping was arrested in relation to an alleged aggravated burglary in Brunswick on 7 April where car keys and a vehicle were stolen. Both the car and the keys were recovered as a result of a search warrant executed at an address by detectives in Epping on 10 April. The man was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle, and was directly presented to court on 10 April.
If anyone has information about car thieves, this can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Broadmeadows Acting Senior Sergeant, Denis Busic:
"We will continue to run dedicated operations to target this offending, as vehicle thefts and aggravated burglaries remain a significant priority for local police.
"We have officers patrolling the area 24/7 and will regularly utilise specialist resources from the Air Wing and Dog Squad to swiftly arrest those committing burglaries and thefts.
"We'd also like to remind the community about the important of securing your property - always make sure you have locked all doors and windows, and remove any valuables from plain sight."
